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How to fix your mobile APN connectivity problems

7 November 2018

Configuring your Internet settings for your new mobile or tablet doesn't have to be a stress with our handy guide to Australian mobile network APN settings.

When you drop a new SIM into a mobile phone, tablet or laptop, what should happen is that the SIM card should hook into your mobile provider's network and pull down the settings it needs to work optimally on your carrier.

In many cases, all you need to do to enable your phone's calling, messaging and Internet features is drop in a new SIM, and possibly do a single reboot of the device to be up and running.

But what if it doesn't work? That's when you need to know the APN settings for your carrier, and how to apply them to a given device. We've listed the APN (and associated MMS and data settings) for each Australian carrier below, as well as how to apply them to a range of popular devices.

Apple iPhone/iPad users

Head to the Settings app, then to Cellular, then to Cellular Network. That's where you can enter or alter the existing APN information for your device. In some cases you may find these details blocked out by your carrier. In that case, your best bet would be to contact your carrier with your precise device type and problem, because if they're not going to let you fix the problem manually, it very much does come down to their support to do so.

Bear in mind that the ability to access mobile networks won't be present if you're using an iPad that only has Wi-Fi connectivity, because there's no facility to add a SIM card to those devices.

Android users

The exact naming varies a little by Android device type, but typically open up Settings, then Connections, then Mobile Networks and finally Access Point Names. From there you should be able to adjust the existing registered APNs as well as add new details as needed.

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Australian APN settings

Like most matters relating to technology, accuracy is crucial, so correctly connecting involves adding the correct details in each case.

Telstra

Telstra's settings also apply to customers of Boost Mobile, although for other MVNOs on the Telstra Wholesale network, such as Woolworths Mobile or ALDImobile, see below.

Telstra APN settings

Internet data

MMS

Name

Telstra

Telstra

APN

telstra.wap

telstra.mms

Proxy

Port

Username

Password

MMSC

http://mmsc.telstra.com:8002

MMS Proxy

10.1.1.180

MMS Port

80

MMS Protocol

WAP 2.0

MCC

505

505

MNC

1

1

Authentication Type

PAP

APN Type

default,supl

mms

Telstra also provides extensive support for getting mobile devices online from its own site.

Telstra MVNOs

Telstra's MVNO carriers, such as Woolworths Mobile, ALDImobile and others, use "parts" of the Telstra 3G and 4G network, and that means that different APN settings are required:

Telstra MVNOs (ALDImobile, Woolworths Mobile, Cmobile Blue)

Name: Mobile Data

Mobile Data

APN:

mdata.net.au

Proxy:

(leave blank)

Port:

(leave blank)

Username:

(leave blank)

Password:

(leave blank)

Server:

(leave blank)

MMSC:

http://mmsc.mdata.net.au:8003

MMS proxy:

10.1.1.180

MMS port:

80

MMS Protocol:

WAP 2.0

MCC:

505

MNC:

1

Authentication: (leave blank)

(leave blank)

APN type:

default,dun,supl,mms

Optus

Optus advises that if you're using an iPhone or BlackBerry device you shouldn't need to adjust your APN settings as these are handled as part of the carrier setup process on any new device. For other devices, if you're having issues, check that your APN settings match the settings below:

Optus APN settings

Name: Optus Internet

APN: internet (If data is not working, use: yesinternet)

4G APN: yesinternet (requires compatible plan/device)

APN Type: Internet or blank

Username: Not set or blank

Password: Not set or blank

Server: Not set or blank

MMS Protocol (For Android 2.1 or higher): WAP 2.0

MMSC: Not set or blank

MMS Proxy: Not set or blank

MMS Port: Not set or blank

MCC: 505

MNC: 02

Authentication Type: PAP (or CHAP on some devices incl. Mac OS-X)

Optus widely wholesales its network, which means that these APN settings may also apply to customers on other Optus-based services such as amaysim, although it's worth checking with your MVNO, as many advise that simply adding the APN name should be enough to enable Internet services.

If you're using a feature phone, your primary need for APN settings is to enable TXT/PXT features. Here are the details you need if your phone isn't working:

Vodafone feature/WAP phone settings

Name

VF WAP

APN

live.vodafone.com

Proxy

10.202.2.60

Port

8080

If your only concern is accessing PXT/MMS services, here are the details you'll need:

Vodafone PXT/MMS settings

Name

Vodafone AU-MMS

APN

live.vodafone.com

MMSC

https://pxt.vodafone.net.au/pxtsend

MMS Proxy

10.202.2.60

MMS Port

8080

MCC

505

MNC

3

APN type

mms

If you're using a Vodafone-supplied pocket Wi-Fi router device, the only setting you should need is the APN, which is live.vodafone.com.

Vodafone also provides a facility for APN settings to be automatically configured for many popular phones, which you can find here.

If you're on a Vodafone-based MVNO such as Kogan Mobile, those same APN settings will generally apply, but if you do hit trouble, it's worth checking directly with your carrier to see if there's a smaller tweak required to get your services up and running smoothly.

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Alex Kidman is the tech and telco editor at Finder. He's been a technology writer with experience spanning more than 20 years, writing and editing at Gizmodo, CNET, PC Magazine, Kotaku and many more. Alex has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of New England and a serious passion for retro gaming.

2 Responses

TusharApril 6, 2018

HI I can not get mms in lycamobile Australia. I use a Cat s60 handset Android ( thermal camera handset) and I have tried 8 types of APN settings all do not work. please advise what are the APN settings as the guy who sold me sim says he is using it on Lyca mobile
Desperate seeking help

I’m sorry to hear that you’re having a hard time working on your CAT S60 handset.

For APN settings, you may check the process in Lycamobile’s website.

Please follow instructions below about the MMS settings.

-Scroll to and select Settings
-Select More
-Select Mobile networks
-Select Public and Access point names
-Select the Menu button
-Select Reset to default
(Your phone will reset to default Internet and MMS settings. MMS problems should be solved at this point.)

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